Steve O’Donnell has been appointed as NASCAR’s chief executive officer, taking over from Jim France. O’Donnell, who has worked for NASCAR for over 30 years and was named president in March 2025, is the first person outside the France family to hold this position. France will continue as NASCAR chairman and retain his majority ownership stake.
During his introduction at Talladega Superspeedway, O’Donnell expressed his intention to bring the racing series back to its roots, stating that they had lost that focus in recent years. Jim France, the majority owner, steps down as CEO but will stay on as chairman.
O’Donnell’s promotion marks a significant change in leadership for NASCAR, as the France family has historically held the top positions within the organization since its founding in 1948.
As O’Donnell takes on this new role, he faces the challenge of uniting the industry, listening to stakeholders (including fans), and addressing issues with urgency. His goal is to bring back the essence of NASCAR as a “badass American sport,” embracing its heritage and traditions.
